If you’re a teacher, or someone in this country that values the American education system, chances are you absolute hate, Betsy DeVos.
Besides the fact that this woman has no idea how public schools operate or work, she also wants to cut federal funding to public schools–and, push more “charter schools,” as the norm across the country. Hard pass. Now, DeVos has once again caused an uproar after she claimed on Tuesday that schools can, and should feel comfortable, calling Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers on “students that may be undocumented.”
When appearing in front of the House Education and Workforce Committee, DeVos said:
“I think that’s a school decision, it’s a local community decision. I refer to the fact that we have laws and we also are compassionate. I urge this body to do its job and address and clarify where there is confusion around this.”
Many people at the forum and throughout the country protested, reminding DeVos of the Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe which states that all children (undocumented and citizens) are entitled to a free public education. In response, DeVos agreed that this Supreme Court case does state all students are indeed entitled to a free public education–however, believes still that it was the “school’s decision” to call ICE if they so feel like it.
Many people have spoken out against DeVos’ statement and said that her decision is unconstitutional.
Lorella Praeli, director of immigration policy and campaigns for the American Civil Liberties Union said in a statement:
Let’s be clear: Any school that reports a child to ICE would violate the Constitution. The Supreme Court has made clear that every child in America has a right to a basic education, regardless of immigration status. Secretary DeVos is once again wrong.
As well, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund issued a powerful statement saying that DeVos should resign due to her incompetence and statements against the Supreme Court case.
Many have also taken to Twitter to express their outrage after the hearing.
https://twitter.com/OliviaResists/status/999613969106178049
So, do you want to create fear in schools? Then just call the Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. She said "That's a school decision" whether to call ICE if they suspect their students are undocumented. Great. Now students have to worry if they are going to be detained and deported
— JORGE RAMOS (@jorgeramosnews) May 23, 2018
Just what our already screwed over schools need is ICE agents to add to the list of things that are going on! Can someone please slap this woman with a 30 year old textbook that is supposed to educate my son about math and then force her to take a state test to stay employed!
— Jessica Merrell (@JLFox0516) May 23, 2018
Betsy DeVos just publicly argued that teachers should be allowed to call ICE to drag children out of classrooms. This is one of the most regressive utterances in U.S. educational history.
— Josh Shepperd (@joshshepperd) May 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/marthaflores_/status/999451075596898305
https://twitter.com/SusanofTexas/status/999458529118474242
Ummm no. No way. No how. Not going there. My room is a place for learning and growing. DeVos can kiss my……
— Kathy rogers (@KathyteachKathy) May 23, 2018
😢😡 kids should feel safe in all ways at school no matter where they came from. Safe from guns, safe from ICE, safe from bullying.
— Debbie scheidemantel (@Debbiescheidem2) May 24, 2018
More evidence that she is unqualified for her position as Secretary of Education.
— edward horton (@edmaho1) May 23, 2018
In all honesty, DeVos should be focused on how to make public schools and all schools across America a safer place for students to obtain an education–like, for example, find solutions to the rise in mass school shootings–which have occurred once a week since the start of 2018. Just saying.